Rex Airlines

Regional Express (Rex) is Australia's largest independent regional airline, operating a fleet of about 57 Saab 340B turboprops across more than 45 destinations in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, and Western Australia. Rex is the airline that keeps regional Australia connected -- towns like Broken Hill, Griffith, Mildura, Mount Gambier, and Merimbula depend on Rex services for their link to capital cities. The airline has been operating since 2002, formed from the assets of two collapsed regional carriers (Hazelton and Kendell).

Rex attempted an expansion into the domestic jet market with 737-800s on Sydney-Melbourne and other trunk routes, but suspended those services in 2024 after the capital-intensive experiment didn't achieve the scale needed to compete with Qantas and Virgin. The airline is now refocused on its regional heartland -- the turboprop network that's been profitable and essential for two decades. Rex is listed on the ASX and has a loyal passenger base in regional communities where it's often the only airline option.

The Saab 340B is Rex's sole aircraft type. It's a Swedish-built twin-turboprop that carries 34 passengers in a 1-2 configuration (single seat on the left, pair on the right). The aircraft was designed specifically for regional operations: it handles short runways, operates efficiently on sectors under two hours, and has good hot-weather performance for inland Australian routes. The 340B variant is the improved version with more powerful engines and better climb performance than the original 340A.

Rex maintains its Saab fleet to a high standard through its own engineering operation at Wagga Wagga. The aircraft average around 20 years old, but turboprops have much longer useful lives than jets, and Rex's maintenance programme keeps them safe and operational. The Saab 340 is one of the most common regional aircraft globally, with an excellent safety record. What you sacrifice is speed (cruising at about 450 km/h versus 800+ km/h for a jet) and cabin comfort -- it's a turboprop, so expect propeller noise and vibration. But for the 45-minute to 90-minute sectors Rex flies, the aircraft is fit for purpose.

The Saab 340B cabin has 34 seats in a 1-2 layout across 12 rows. The single-seat column on the left (seat A) is effectively a first-class position on a regional turboprop -- window seat with no seatmate. The paired seats on the right (B and C) give one passenger the window and one the aisle. Seat pitch is about 31 inches, which is adequate for the short flights Rex operates. There's no seatback entertainment, no WiFi, and no power outlets. Cabin service is a light snack and drink on most flights.

The Saab 340 is a turboprop, so the experience is different from a jet. Engine noise is significant, especially from seats near the propellers (roughly mid-cabin, rows 5-8). Vibration is noticeable during takeoff and in turbulence. The cabin is pressurised but narrower than a jet, and overhead storage is limited. That said, Rex flights are short -- most are under 90 minutes -- and the trade-off is access to regional airports that jets can't serve. The crew are experienced regional operators, many based in the towns they serve, and the airline has a strong community focus that passengers notice.

Seat A (the single-seat column on the left) is the best seat on any Rex flight. You get a window, no seatmate, and more personal space than anyone else on the aircraft. Book seat A in rows 1-3 for the best combination of space, quiet, and quick deplaning. On the paired right side, window seats (column C) are preferable to aisle seats (column B) for views on the scenic regional routes Rex flies.

Front rows (1-4) are noticeably quieter than mid-cabin and rear rows because the propellers are mounted at approximately rows 5-8. The noise difference between row 2 and row 7 is significant on a Saab 340. Rear rows (10-12) are also quieter than the propeller zone but further from the exit. On a 34-seat aircraft, deplaning is fast from any position, so the noise advantage of front rows is the main consideration. Avoid rows 5-8 if noise bothers you -- the propellers are directly outside the windows at these positions, and the vibration is at its strongest.